Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, has announced the launch of the fifth edition of the Sharjah International Book Distributors Conference on 19 September at the Expo Centre Sharjah. The conference will run for two consecutive days, on 19 and 20 September.
The event will bring together hundreds of distributors, booksellers, and e-commerce platforms from 98 countries in a specialised professional forum to discuss the global state of book distribution, explore ways to develop supply chains, strengthen partnerships between distributors and publishers, and keep pace with digital transformation in the book retail and distribution sector.
The conference aims to enable professionals in the distribution sector to exchange expertise and best practices, explore cross-border cooperation opportunities, and put forward practical solutions to market challenges. Its programme includes dialogue sessions and specialised workshops covering inventory and display management, building sustainable professional relationships with authors and publishers, and maximising the use of modern digital communication tools and effective business strategies.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: "The Sharjah International Book Distributors Conference represents one of the cornerstones of Sharjah's strategy, laid out by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to support the book industry globally. It provides a specialised professional platform that places distribution issues at the forefront of discussion and works to develop practical solutions that keep pace with the rapid changes in reader behaviour and sales patterns."
Al Ameri added: "Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, the conference has succeeded in building an extensive international network connecting distributors and publishers, and has contributed to opening new markets."
For his part, Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publishing Services at the Sharjah Book Authority, said: "The conference addresses the needs of distributors and booksellers by providing practical tools in inventory management, display, and e-commerce, as well as offering a space to build close business relationships.
"The diversity of participants this year presents an opportunity to compare business models across markets, share experiences and solutions that have proven effective, explore new channels to extend books' reach to readers, and empower participants with the knowledge that helps them grow and expand."
This year's Sharjah International Book Distributors Conference focuses on the detailed operational aspects of the book retail and distribution sector. Its sessions address inventory management methods and the improvement of in-bookstore display, including demand analysis techniques, reducing returns, and raising supply chain efficiency.
The conference will also discuss mechanisms for developing the professional relationship between distributors, publishers, and authors, as well as ways to build partnerships based on data sharing and joint planning for releases and marketing campaigns.